Above lines summarize the art of artist SUGO (Subhash Gondhale), as he is commonly known in art circle. For him Calligraphy is a captivating Art for several reasons, the common factor of calligraphy all over the world is that, of giving meaning, feeling and expression to letters. Letters are wonder invention…they form words, sentences and we think in words, we contemplate in silence…but again silence have thoughts and thoughts are in letters (words and sentences). SUGO’s latest exhibition named Knyatavya (easy to understand), portraying Devanagri script and Hindu motifs or mantras. These eye catching series’ clearly presents his inclination towards spirituality and deliberation on munificence of Hinduism.

Most calligraphers spread message of the particular culture, love and peace through their calligraphy. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, East Asia, Asia et al. has a common thread of message of humanity and moving away from destruction and violence. SUGO has signified this by having a dialogue through Indian Devanagri language and motifs, thus trying to make Indian (Hindu) Calligraphy a global phenomenon. He makes the world aware of profound impact of motifs like ‘Aum’, ‘Swastik’ and ‘Rhim- rham on body and soul. He not only deliberates on sound but visually creates a meditative aura by using colors proposing mysticism and feeling of self awakening.

Along with the spiritual communion in ‘Mantra’ series, in the series named ‘Akshara’ SUGO reveals the beauty of Devanagri script. The letters seem personified, have body language and have momentum and they twist and turn gracefully. If they are contemplated with closed eyes it seems to have rhythm; music, poetic appeal. Some letters seem to swiftly float, feel light as feathers. This might be the reflection of SUGO’s mind, of breaking away from practical existence and moving away from stress and burden into tranquility. He has symbolically linked letters with every minute element that creator Lord Brahma (In Hinduism Lord Brahma is said to be the creator of this universe) amalgamated together to create this universe. Nature or universe is made of animate and inanimate objects; varying from micro to macro sizes and shapes and united they create a beautiful universe. Likewise, the letters in his paintings are the part of larger forms like, words and sentences. When letters are united in smaller groups they make a word; and word gives meaning to thoughts and so in the process language is born. is like presenting the theory of evolution through letters.

I was convinced about SUGO’s dedication to his art by his response to the question of ‘readymade calligraphy’ being made easily available on computer. When questioned about easy access to calligraphic fonts and saving time and efforts of creating it manually for various occasions, he confidently replied that it is a fact that technology has advanced and computer has made things easy and enables access to most difficult art, like Calligraphy; but for him calligraphy is not just writing artistically, but it is a matter of profound dedication and purity of thoughts that go into creation of each and every letter. He opines that Calligraphy will always have secured place in Art, despite of technological progress.

I think his subject is unique because ‘Hinduism’ is confined to India; it can be called Indian religion. SUGO tries to introduce it to the world. It is not only about spirituality but has the power to balance and compose our mind and body. It reveals the mysteries of this Universe of how, why and who created it. It is a great pleasure to watch these paintings live and get enlightened.

I
had the opportunity to meet Calligraphy artist Subhash Gondhale (SUGO) before
exhibition of his latest series called Knyatavya(easy to understand). This exhibition includes three series’ viz: Akshara,
Mantra and Evolution. The subject of paintings is close to Indian (Hindu)
culture and tradition.. Following is the excerpt of the interview that
introduces us to SUGO’s insight into these creations:

Q: How do you define calligraphy; as an art or
skill?

S.G.:
Calligraphy is an Art, it is a creative process and require complete concentration.
The lines and strokes in letters cannot be corrected to create desired effect.
Corrections would mean catch-22 situation of mind, and creation in one stroke
means affirmation of idea and concept. An elegant movement of brush on paper or
canvas indicates a through thought, of being calm and spontaneous expressing confidence
and deep understanding of life; it is a meditative process where you have to train
your mind to be limbo.

Q:
Why did you decide working o Mantra or
Motifs? Do you intend to introduce world to Hinduism?

S.G:
These Motifs scrupulously represent India. India has rich cultural heritage and
motifs are a part of Hinduism. The Motifs stated in Hindu scriptures have
therapeutic value. I know this from my life long experience, as I hail from a
Brahmin family where chanting mantra is a ritual followed every day. The main
reason of chanting these Mantras are that, they lead to peace of mind, develop concentration
and takes oneself away from vice motives, thus cleansing the soul and
developing a sound mind that leads to a sound body. I want to disclose this
Indian treasure to the world; make people all over the world know the greatness
of Hinduism and adopt it for self well being.

Q:
So is the series called ‘Evolution’ related to Indian (Hindu) belief?

S.G.:
Yes, because to know why one exists, it is necessary to understand life on
wider scale; universal level and to know about its creator; Lord Brahma (Hindus
staunchly believe Brahma to be the creator of Universe which he created from
miniscule particle). I have tried to represent Brahma’s creation symbolically
by using letters which are the minute elements of large group larger forms,
‘word’ and ‘sentences’. Thus they form
language; a Universe. So, I present the Hindu traditional theory of evolution
through letters.

Q: Why did you create ‘Akshara’ series?

S.G.: Akshara depicts
Devnagari script. I
am fascinated by this script.. Each shape is very rhythmic and has graceful
twists and turns’ that personify them. Here I would like to briefly explain its
universal importance in Indian context. When these letters are viewed as
motifs, they become mysticalsounds and visuals, of Hindu origin
which are sacred and important (Sanskrit language), in the language which is
considered to be the language of Hindu God.

Q:
Do you think there is an underlying link between calligraphy developed in
various cultures and places? Does it have a particular indication?

S.G:
I think there is a common link in Calligraphy found all over the world.
Basically it is about writing ‘letters of particular language’ and when you
speak of language, naturally it is influenced by culture and tradition, so the
beauty and goodness of a particular culture gets reflected. This is a truth
about every region’s Calligraphy. This indicates that Calligraphy proposes to deviate
oneself from destructive thoughts and actions, freedom of soul from worldly
matter and adoption of love and peace by awakening the mind.

Q:
Tell us about your process of creation.

S.G.:
I believe in simplicity. Creative process becomes simple when you have definite
image in your mind and completely focus on presenting it visually. Focus makes action spontaneous and
spontaneity is but simplicity for me. Hues represent mirage and forms become
abstract. My tools are controlled by my mental state in that particular moment,
so the final output is not very similar to original image. Original concept of
art work remains unchanged but image turns ephemeral. As reflection goes on
becoming intense, it moves from form to formless; forms merge into background
and turns into abstraction.

Q:
How was your experience of growing as an artist?

S.G.:
This is a good question, because I would genuinely like to mention about great men
who have helped me in my creativity process. Right from my learning years in
Sir.J. J. School of Art I am guided by my gurus in the field of painting. The
first experience of judgment of my creation by my teacher in Sir J. J. School
was a turning point. Here Calligraphy was one of the subjects in the curriculum
and I scored the least in my first Calligraphy test paper and my professor
pestered me for it. That pestering helped me, inspired me to do the best in
future papers and to my teacher’s surprise I scored the highest in latter
exams. And now I have reached the stage where I can spontaneously express
myself on canvas.

Q:
Which artists have influenced your work?

S.G:
I am lucky to meet, speak and seek admiration from great men from this field.
Earlier, I used to do realistic painting and at that time Madhav Satwalekar, N S Bandre, Sir Dhurandher
had attended my exhibition and personally complimented me. Prabhakar Kolte Sir was my teacher
in Sir J. J. School of Art so I have spent good part of my academic period
under his guidance and seen him improvising the skill and talents of students
by his lectures and practically involvement in our work. Even after School days
I have good relation with Sir on personal level. I consider Mario Miranda as my
mentor, as he provided me the opportunity to start my career in Advertising
field by recommending my name and also appreciated my works and bought three of
my paintings. I owe my self confidence to excel in my profession as well as
passion to Mario Miranda. Then, I also had chance to meet and speak to M.F.Hussain, M S Joshi, Raiba, Dhond Sir
and also have face-to –face conversation with K.H.Ara. I was completely awed by
his personality. He was very simply dressed, spoke gently and was kind enough
to speak to me, even though we had met first time; he had no airs about his
fame. I also had brush with Sankar Palsikar, M S Joshi. In fact, I seen demo of Palshikar’s painting…a
great…great experience indeed! Now, it is a great pleasure to meet great men
about whom we have studied, whose books we have read. Their personalities are
as great as their works.

Q: What is your passion other than painting?

S.G.I love to read books and write about great men and create poems.

Q: Which books do you prefer? Fiction or Non- fiction?

S.G: I like to read auto-biographies and books on art. I do not
like fantasy and imaginary stories as in fiction. The philosophies of great men
inspire me to tread on their foot prints on the way to success; in painting and
real life. I have read Dnyaneshwari and philosophies by Zen masters, Osho,
Krishnamurthy and other influential personalities. I read their philosophies and adopt it.
According to Zen Art, Brush strokes speaks mind. So I practice meditation,
concentration and peace within myself so that it naturally and spontaneously
gets projected on canvas and paper. I gain knowledge about universe and purpose
of existence of every micro and macro life on earth, making the nature and this
whole universe closer to me. Through books I could know and study Picasso, Van-Gogh,
Burnett, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci and now I am one of their biggest fans.

Q:
How is your association with artists from painting and other fields of fine
art?

S.G.:
It is a great pleasure to be in a company of intellectual giants from various
field of art. Creativity is ever developing process. These men and their
insights, manner and approach towards life and art inspire me. I try to
incorporate every form of art in my creations. Honestly, I extract positive
energy of every field to merge it in my creation.

Q:
With advent of technology, computer,
software developing fonts, even the calligraphic ones; ‘writing’ is fast
obscuring’, then what is its future?

S.G.: It is not possible to deny the existence of technology in
any field; even in art. Advanced technology has undoubtedly contributed in
saving time and manual hard work. Everything has become handy and easily accessible,
even ‘writing’, as it is replaced by operating keyboard. Yes, calligraphic
fonts are available and due to keyboards, writing is diminishing. It is easy to
make templates using this benefit of technology. But artistically hand- written
words have their beauty and powerful impact. And Writing art- Calligraphy is
not just writing artistically, but it is a matter of profound dedication,
concentration and purity of thoughts that go into creation of each and every
letter. The fine and bold strokes can be drawn only by perseverance and can
change for each artwork, giving every art work a personal touch, unlike ‘fonts’
which are unalterable and have no personal touch and feelings. No other medium
of calligraphic expression will surpass handwritten medium. So, written calligraphy
will always have secured place in Art, despite of technological progress.

Q: Painting, is your passion or profession?

S.G.: Painting is purely a passion for me.
I am into the field of Advertising and earn enough for my family and to nurture
my passion of painting without stress. I am lucky that I can afford to buy
canvas and other tools for paintings without worry. For me painting is a way to
escape from worldly worries and relax. It is a way to meditation. I am filled
with vibrant energy, be poised, calm and stable in my thoughts and actions
after I paint.